Alternative Spring Break Supports Disaster Recovery Initiatives

Alternative Spring Break Supports Disaster Recovery Initiatives

February 29 – March 21, 2009

More than 400 students participating in the United Way of America Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program dedicated themselves to rebuilding areas of the country devastated by natural disasters. 

New Orleans, Louisiana

Volunteers worked with the St. Bernard Project rebuilding homes for senior citizens, people with disabilities and families with children who can not afford to have the work done by private contractors.  For clients who can afford supplies, St. Bernard Project buys supplies and provides supervised volunteer labor.  St. Bernard buys the supplies and provides the labor for clients that are unable to afford building materials.  For one exciting week, United Way ASB volunteers helped rebuild two homes.  Students removed debris, hung drywall and sanded walls.

Houston, Texas

Volunteers participated in several projects in the Greater Houston area in support of post-Hurricane Ike rebuilding and addressing on-going community needs that were exacerbated by the devastation of the storm.  Service projects included the refurbishment of a warehouse donated to the city of Houston for volunteer housing and donation management; home repairs including roof replacement, debris removal, replacement of damaged kitchens and bathrooms and painting; construction of a walking trail and community gardens; building wheelchair ramps for senior citizens; rehabilitating a pre-school playground; and income tax preparation for low income families. 

Terre Haute, Indiana

Major flooding devastated 80 of Indiana’s 92 counties during the summer of 2008.  ASB volunteers engaged in home repairs including roof and siding repairs; extensive debris removal; painting; window removal; laying new carpet; demolition on a home that is beyond repair; and assisting the Wabash Valley Long-Term Disaster Recovery Coalition with fundraising needs by documenting and sharing their experiences by collecting video footage and photographs. 

Biloxi, Mississippi

Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Mississippi Gulf Coast with storm surges of nearly 30 feet.  The people of Mississippi continue to struggle to recover from such devastation.  Their efforts were hampered by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in late 2008.  ASB volunteers assisted the people of southern Mississippi affected these storms by tackling home repairs including replacing roofs; building a storage shed; and painting.  In addition, volunteers assisted the newly built Boys and Girls Club get ready for its grand opening by stocking shelves and testing equipment.